No. 63 Arkansas State:
The Red Wolves have a continually revolving door in the coach's office, but players like J.D. McKissic (23) give the team a consistent quality that again will make them it a contender for the Sun Belt championship. (Photo: Nelson Chenault, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 56 Penn State:
The Nittany Lions have maintained their widespread fan support in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal and now feel further buoyed by the arrival of new head coach James Franklin. (Photo: Matthew O'Haren, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 54 East Carolina:
Running back Breon Allen will be one of the keys for East Carolina to control time of possession in 2014, which may be important considering the inexperience of its defense. (Photo: James Guillory, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 52 Oregon State:
Terron Ward has every-down ability as a ballcarrier for the Beavers, and he will be key to managing pressure on star quarterback Sean Mannion. (Photo: Marco Garcia, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 51 Fresno State:
Linebacker Ejiro Ederaine (center) leads the Bulldogs onto the field for their win vs. Boise State last Sept. 20 and is back this year as one of the best players on the Fresno State roster and the Mountain West at large. (Photo: Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 47 Arizona State:
With Taylor Kelly (10) back under center, the Sun Devils should have their best offense of the Todd Graham era. But the defense may need time to find its next generation of stars. (Photo: Matt Kartozian, Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports)

No. 45 Texas:
New Longhorns coach Charlie Strong has made it clear to defensive end Cedric Reed (88) and the rest of the team: It takes a tough team to win tough games. (Photo: Evan Habeeb, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 42 Northwestern:
Receiver Tony Jones (6) is one of a number of reliable pass catchers who will help quarterback Trevor Siemian and the Wildcats offense excel in 2014. (Photo: David Banks, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 41 Mississippi State:
The Bulldogs have their share of offensive stars, but players like middle linebacker Benardrick McKinney offer proof that the defense has highly effective stars as well. (Photo: John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 39 Northern Illinois:
Running back Cameron Stingily (42) and offensive lineman Ryan Brown (78) are two of the Huskies' best players, but they also need new stars to emerge on defense. (Photo: David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 32 Virginia Tech:
The Hokies will have a new quarterback in 2014, but they bring back a deep and diverse group of wide receivers, led by senior Willie Byrn (82). (Photo: Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 28 Texas Tech:
The Red Raiders are known for their offense, but the move of running back Kenny Williams (34) to linebacker could be one of the most important decisions of their offseason. (Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 27 North Carolina:
The Tar Heels lack a tight end the quality of the departed Eric Ebron, but players like wide receiver Quinshad Davis (14) will ensure North Carolina still has a strong passing game. (Photo: Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 26 Arizona:
Trey Griffey (5) is one of the key components who give the Wildcats arguably the best receiving corps not just in the Pac-12, but in the nation. (Photo: Crystal LoGiudice, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 25 Boise State:
The Broncos had an extremely uncharacteristic season in 2013, but players like wide receiver Shane Williams-Rhodes (11) should keep them atop the Mountain West in 2014. (Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 24 Duke:
Three of the men Duke football will rely on most in 2014 are defenisve end Dezmond Johnson (42), coach David Cutcliffe, and quarterback Anthony Boone (7). (Photo: Ellen Ozier, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 23 Washington:
Players like Cory Littleton (42) could give the Huskies a dominant defense in the first season under offensive-minded head coach Chris Petersen. (Photo: Jaime Valdez, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 21 Wisconsin:
Coach Gary Andersen, left, has Joel Stave (2) is in a battle for the starting quarterback position, but they both will enjoy the true luxury of having Melvin Gordon in the backfield and players like Rob Havenstein on the front line. (Photo: Mary Langenfeld, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 20 Marshall:
Thundering Herd linebacker Neville Hewitt (43) and his teammates may have much to celebrate this season as Marshall is the preseason favorite for the Conference USA title. (Photo: Peter Casey, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 15 Clemson:
The Tigers, coming off a victory in the Orange Bowl, remain one of the top contenders for the ACC title, and if they can overcome their top two nemeses -- Florida State and South Carolina - likely will find themselves in the inaugural College Football Playoff. (Photo: Joshua S. Kelly, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 14 Georgia:
Bulldogs like cornerback Damian Swann (5) and offensive tackle Zach DeBell (76) had a lot to celebrate in 2013, but they are looking for a healthier and even more successful 2014. (Photo: Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 13 USC:
The Trojans have one of the two best defenses in the Pac-12, and players like tailback Javorius Allen (37) and wide receiver Nelson Agholor will help the team tear through opposing defenses, too. (Photo: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 12 LSU:
LSU defensive back Tre'Davious White (16) and defensive end Danielle Hunter (94) are part of a team that has a transitioning roster full of emerging talent. (Photo: Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 11 Ohio State:
New quarterback J.T. Barrett will have his work cut out after being thrust into the starting job this week, but he will get great help with the presence of tight end Jeff Heuerman (86) and receiver Devin Smith (9). (Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 10 Oklahoma: The Sooners had three big celebrations to end 2013. Can quarterback Trevor Knight rekindle the touch that led to that success?
Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Trevor Knight (9) and teammates celebrate after the Sooners recovered the ball on an on side kick against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Oklahoma defeated Alabama 45-31. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports (Photo: Crystal LoGiudice, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 9 Auburn:
Defensive back Jermaine Whitehead (9) and defensive lineman Gabe Wright (90) are two of the steadying forces on a defense thaqt has some questions. Meanwhile, Auburn's offense seems to have few, if any questions. (Photo: Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 7 Stanford:
Quarterback Kevin Hogan and the Cardinal figure to move the ball effectively again in 2014, but they are looking for more red zone efficiency. (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 6 Michigan State:
The Spartans have had one of the nation's best defenses for three seasons, and the emergence of quarterback Connor Cook inn 2013 appears to be lifting the team to new heights. (Photo: Andrew Weber, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 2 Alabama:
The Crimson Tide has one of the nation's deepest backfields, and it might also have the best receiving corps in FBS. Amari Cooper (9) and O.J. Howard (88) are two of the biggest reasons why. (Photo: John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 1 Florida State:
Cameron Erving (75) and Kermit Whitfield (7) are almost the biggest and smallest members of the Seminoles' roster, and yet they are almost equally effective in their roles. (Photo: Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)